THE FIVB is mulling a global re-interpretation of the sport’s double contact violation.
In volleyball, the ‘two touches’ fault occurs when setters, in particular, draws contact with the ball more than once in a singular attempt or playing motion.
This violation is one that FIVB president Fabio Azevedo eyes to scrap in the long-term, or at least implement with a much more notable sense of leniency.
In his recent visit to Manila, Azevedo explained the rationale behind redefining one of the sport’s longest-standing rules.
“Now as we speak, we are even improving the rules of the game. For example, double touch nowadays is no longer a fault. Why? Because double touch is something subjective,” Azevedo said.
“It can be double touch for you, not for me, right?”
FIVB clarifies
A fuller explanation was released by the FIVB on its official site.
“In both volleyball and beach volleyball, a new interpretation of the double touch rule was approved for testing,” the sport’s global governing body explained.
“Double contact will be allowed during the setting action, provided the ball remains on the same side of the court, with faults only called for two clear consecutive touches.
“For balls played into the opponent’s court, as well as catches and lifts, the current interpretation will still apply.”
Such rule change has been applied in the ongoing Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and will be re-assessed before determining if it will be implemented at a wider capacity, including the 2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championships in the later months.
The PVL has yet to apply the said rule change in the ongoing preseason tournament.
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